Field library

Mealybug

Clusters of soft insects covered in white waxy powder sit in leaf axils and on stems, sucking sap. Leaves crinkle, growth stops, and sooty mould blackens the plant. The wax repels sprays, which is why timing and thorough wetting matter more here than with other pests.

How to scout

Check leaf axils and the underside of branches, and inspect field boundaries and hedges where it overwinters before it moves into the crop.